COVID-19 Resources
God knows everything about Coronavirus and COVID-19 (Deut 29:29), meanwhile we have much to learn. Although it is important to have humility about what we can know with certainty, there is increasing information available. The Medical Advisory Committee (which includes our Elders) has been actively reviewing information as we seek to help Westgate plan and operate our activities safely and with the best interests of our community and neighbors in mind. If you are interested in learning more, please see the linked information below.
Who has it?
Although some get sick, and a few get critically ill, a large portion (possibly 40-50% or more) of the people who get the virus will have no or minimal symptoms (article). This is great news, but unfortunately it makes limiting the spread of the virus difficult since it is hard to identify the people who need to be quarantined. This also means that although you feel just fine, you may have the virus and may be spreading it (article, article).
Testing: Even if we were to test every person in the country we still would not know exactly who has it. This is because the tests are not perfect and may miss 30% and sometimes up to 50% of the cases (article, article, article). Additionally we would have to account for people who might have been exposed since they had the test done last. (Pray that highly accurate, inexpensive, and rapid tests become increasingly available.)
Unfortunately this means that anyone who visits your home, small group or comes to church could potentially be a source of the virus, even if they look well and have a normal temperature.
How long are they contagious?
We do not know for certain, but there is increasing information (CDC Article). Those people who do develop symptoms are most infectious right before symptoms occur (article). Those people who remain without symptoms seem to be just as infectious as those who do show signs (article). Those with known infections seem most infectious the first week, less the second week and most are no longer contagious after 2-3 weeks (article). Data from the Diamond Princess patients seems to indicate that, in general, older people take longer to clear the infection. We also know that those who are very ill and in the hospital and those that are immunocompromised may be infectious longer.
There are some patients with COVID-19 who test positive for the virus (PCR test) for weeks or months after infection (47 days, 49 days, 63 days). There is increasing evidence that once symptoms have resolved these people are no longer infectious and that the positive test is due to “viral parts” being cleared slowly from the body.
How is it spread?
Most of the transmission is based on respiratory droplets and requires being fairly close (this is the reason for the 6' rule). (Here’s a great article) (A very good but technical article).
Transmission can occur on surfaces ("fomites" for the nerdy types) but this is a relatively rare event (potentially 1% of cases)(article, article, article).
Transmission increases with length of time of exposure and viral load (a quick exchange with the cashier is different than an hour together in a conference room or church auditorium).
Aerosol transmission (fine droplets that are spread easily around a room) increases with indoor HVAC and recirculated air and is also increased by talking, shouting and especially singing (singing: article, article). Article. Article.
How does this uniquely affect churches?
Church services are usually indoor environments with circulating air, a large number of people meeting together for an hour or two, often with singing, touching and hugging. Therefore churches are ideal places to spread COVID-19. Most of the South Korean cases in February were linked to a single woman who attended the services of her large church (article, article). On a smaller scale, similar church-based spread has been noted in Canada (24 of 41 people infected, article) and in Arkansas (CDC article). In the Canadian example this occurred despite hand sanitization and physical distancing. In the example from Arkansas, a single couple who was feeling fine inadvertently infected 35 members of their 92 member congregation and that outbreak was ultimately linked to additional 26 cases among the community. In July a single infected man in Ohio attended church services and led to infection in 91 people (article).
There is increasing data that “super-spreader” events like some church services, funerals in Albany, GA, and others, are responsible for significant spread occuring during the pandemic and also seemed linked with the most severe cases (article, article).
If we are to love each other and love our neighbor and community (Rom 13:10), churches cannot carry on “business as usual” during an active pandemic, and some normal activities will have to be altered.
What can Westgate do to limit the spread?
Being outdoors or in the largest area possible significantly decreases the risk of respiratory / airborne transmission. For this reason we have asked our small groups to meet outdoors whenever possible.
Physical distancing is important. We acknowledge that all people are made in God’s image and precious. It is painful not to hug or shake hands. This year we’ve lost faithful servants of the kingdom and we couldn’t get together to give them the funeral they deserved. It is grievous to forego such things, and although it may seem worth the risk, we encourage you to abide by social distancing guidelines even with people you know and love.
Wherever possible we will limit the size of indoor groups and would prefer people attend an outdoor option whenever possible.
Because singing significantly increases the risk of transmission, our song services may be reduced or altered, especially indoors.
There was some controversy regarding face masks in prior months. Although they are far from perfect, it is now clear that masks decrease transmission and are useful during a pandemic (review article, More info: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14). If meeting indoors for a small group, masks are strongly recommended. For any meeting or activity within the church building, face masks or face shields will be required.
Last Updated: Sep 20, 2020.